Anatomical and visual outcome of retinal detachment surgery in children

Aims-To evaluate the visual and anatomical outcome, as well as complication s following surgery, for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in children at a tertiary referral centre over a 5 year period. Methods-A retrospective survey of all children (aged 0-16 years) who underw ent primary retinal detachment surgery at Queen's Medical Centre between Ap ril 1994 and March 1999. Results-15 consecutive patients were identified with a mean follow up of 14 .7 months (range 3-57) and a mean age of 12.4 years. Trauma was the cause i n 40% (6/15). Complete retinal reattachment was achieved in 86.6% (13/15). Visual improvement occurred in 53.3% (8/15), worsening of vision occurred i n 13.3% (2/15), with no change in the remaining 33.3% (5/15). Visual acuity was D 6/12 in 6.6% (1/15) preoperatively, and 26.6% (4/15) postoperatively . Conclusions-Retinal detachment in children is rare compared with adults. Th ere are therefore limited data available for this group of patients. These data provide one unit's experience over a 5 year period, and may help provi de a basis for information for patients and their parents when discussing t he risks and potential benefits of surgery for retinal detachment in the pa ediatric population.